Family Ties

June 1, 2014
Kevin, 14 and no stranger to hyperbole, is back for a fifth humor-infused outing as he tries valiantly to deal with his often bizarre extended family (Vote, 2013, etc.).Uncle Will shows up unexpectedly with a new bride and a young stepson who's apparently infamous for starting fires, bringing along a huge, incontinent dog for good measure. The group settles in to stay when Kevin suggests they should have a better ceremony than their justice-of-the-peace wedding the following weekend-and he'll manage the planning. Next to arrive is dour grandmother Lucille, a clean freak, followed by Papa, Kevin's grandfather (and Lucille's ex-husband), and his ex-showgirl girlfriend. As the week progresses, a few more motley friends descend, guaranteeing chaos on the homefront as Kevin deals with the love of his young life, Tina, at school, along with a family-related project that consumes any remaining time and involves carrying around a fake baby (made of popcorn) named Dumpster Assassin. In a departure from his other misadventures, this time Kevin seems to truly have his heart in the right place as he tries to bring order to the disparate parts and restore some missing familial affection. Paulsen never skips an opportunity for a laugh, but the tale's truth is evident, too, as readers will readily identify with the cast of strange characters. Another funny episode in a well-meaning (sort of, anyway) kid's life. (Fiction. 10-14)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 5-8-Middle schooler and self-described "family man" Kevin Spencer returns in another humorous tale. This time, he schemes to bring his dysfunctional family closer together by reuniting his father with his father's recently estranged, irresponsible brother. But when Uncle Will arrives with his new wife; her five-year-old pyromaniac son; and their large, incontinent dog, Kevin suggests that the family host a backyard second wedding for the newlyweds for the following weekend. The ceremony soon involves two couples with the arrival of more of Kevin's wacky relatives, and the lead character is tasked with planning two weddings in less than one week. Paulsen crafts a distinct narrative voice for his quick-witted protagonist, who is funny, wry, and relatable, making this a good recommendation for reluctant readers. Despite the eccentricity of his family, Kevin takes his role as straight man in stride, eagerly welcoming his zany relatives into his home while offering plenty of deadpan commentary about them in his narration. While his adoration of his girlfriend Tina, albeit comical, sometimes comes off as a little too over-the-top, his budding friendship with ambitious classmate Katie is well developed as are the strengthening bonds among his family members. The Spencers may not be a conventionally perfect family, but by the end of the novel it is clear that, despite their oddball antics, they are a loving one. Fans of the series and new readers will enjoy this offering.-Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
The fifth book (following Vote) about now fourteen-year-old Kevin Spencer is funny and off-beat. He continues to see life through his self-centered lens, but, in a bid to impress the beautiful Tina, Kevin volunteers to plan his uncle's wedding. The plot is a bit over-the-top, but since Kevin is not an entirely reliable narrator, readers won't expect logic.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)